Kerala to Goa and Rider Mania!

Cruise the coast of SW India and end up in a race at Rider Mania!

A ride that negotiates through tea plantations, along the majestic west coast on the sunny side of Kerala and end up in the beaches of Goa for the three days of craziness that is Rider Mania.PLEASE NOTE: We understand a bike rally isn’t for everyone, so there is no obligation to join in the fun at Rider Mania. Our team will look after you for the three days in Goa if you choose to relax and do some sightseeing.

Kerala lies on a narrow strip of land to the west of South India (Nilgiri hills) wedged between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats mountains. The areas we visit, such as Alappuzha (Alleppy), Kodaikanal and Ooty have scenery as interesting as their names. From high hills, rich in flora and fauna, magnificent lakes to networks of tranquil canals and lagoons littered with Houseboats. Kerala’s close relationship with the sea often manifests itself at dinner, with fresh seafood high on the extensive list of Keralan delicacies.

For over 3000 years Kerala has been attracting explorers, traders and invaders, although it is only recently that motorcycles have made their mark on the area. Phoenicians, Arabs, Romans and Chinese have all been trading with this region of India for millennia and it was via the ‘Malabar’ coastline that oriental spices and technologies first traveled west from India. The evidence of these visitors remains on display in coastal cities such as Cochin, still a hub of spice, textile and hand craft export.

Himalayan Heroes plans to do a bit of invading ourselves. Rider Mania is a 3 day motorcycle rally organised by Royal Enfield each year in November. We’ll ride the awesome roads of the South West Indian coast before launching our attack on Rider Mania.

We explore a land steeped in a very multicultural history where the locals are friendly and welcoming. Experienced guides will escort you safely all the way to Rider Mania where you’ll party like only people in Goa can. You’ll have a full support crew including mechanics to ensure that you have the best 11 days imaginable and memories for life.

This tour is also available as a private adventure for solo adventurers, a couple, a club or even just a group of mates. This can be any combination of riders, pillions, sidecar passengers or even family in one of our expedition support vehicles. The tour can be shortened or lengthened to suit your desires. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

Best months are October, November, December, January, February & March.Please note: Rider Mania is held in November so the itinerary will change slightly if you choose dates outside of that event.

PRICES

Rider: US$3,890 per personPillion: US$3,390 per person

WHAT’S INCLUDED

All ground transfers in India, airport to airport Reception at Cochin airport and all transfers by private vehicle A Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle including all fuel Backup van with spare parts and a qualified Royal Enfield mechanic throughout the adventure 11 Days / 10 Nights’ twin share accommodation in mid-range hotels Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for the entire tour Support vehicles to carry all luggage (if riders are injured or feeling unwell they can take a break and jump into our back-up jeep to relax!) Back-water boating with House boat Bottled mineral water throughout the adventure Tea/Chai & snacks en-route Monument entrance fees during the entire trip.

NOT INCLUDED

International flights Domestic return flight tickets from Delhi to Imphal Travel Insurance (compulsory) Indian Visa fee Any damage to the motorcycle must be covered by the rider in full Personal Expenses Tipping (US$100 is expected. It gets shared amongst the support crew) Alcoholic Drinks

NOTE: These prices are based on 10 riders (usually our adventures are between 10 and 15 people). The price includes sharing a room with a fellow rider, however if you’d like your own room then there is a US$650 surcharge.

Payment terms: A minimum US$500 deposit must be made at time of booking with the balance paid in US$ upon arrival. Pre payment is also accepted upon request.

Additional information

Rider or Pillion

Rider, Pillion

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DAY 1: THE ARRIVAL IN COCHIN

A representative of Himalayan Heroes will greet you at Cochin International Airport. Kerala, known as the ‘God’s Own Country’ is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Kerala is known for its beautiful beaches and extensive backwaters. It is a true paradise, transfer to the hotel which is located in the Fort Kochi, the heart of the ancient town. Afternoon will be busy with sightseeing around this wonderful part of south India, Kerala town, overnight at the hotel.

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DAY 2: LUXURY HOUSEBOAT

KOCHI TO ALLEPPY (55 Kms – 2 hours)

We meet our back up team, our motor bikes and we’ll have a short acclimitisation ride to Alleppy. This short ride takes you on seaside coastal road through small fisherman’s villages. Being in Southern India is like being on a different planet. The smells of spices, the sounds, the noise – there is nothing like it outside of India.

Once we arrive at Alleppy, we drop our gear off on our luxury houseboats and the rest of the day we explore the tropical backwaters in the regattas (snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous. Flocks of ducks swimming around the banks and birds flying across the sky are enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this tourist land. In the evening, enjoy the sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats while fishing if you choose to. We stay overnight on the houseboat.

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DAY 3: HEAD TO THE HILLS

ALLEPPY TO KODAIKANAL (290 Kms – 7 – 8 hours)

After an early breakfast, we ride to the scenic hill station of Kodaikanal. Kodaikanal, at a distance of 284kms from Alleppy, lies on the southern crust of the Palani Hills. The town is centered around the star shaped Kodaikanal Lake covering an area of sixty acres. Kodaikanal has thickly wooded slopes, walking paths through picturesque landscapes that has gorgeous waterfalls and steep rocky drops. We stay overnight at a hotel.

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DAY 4: HAIRPIN SANDWICH

KODAIKANAL TO OOTY (250 Kms – 6-7 hours)

We ride the curvy roads down to the plains of Palani which are cluttered with small hamlets. After covering many kilometres of the plains, we again ride the hairpin curves to the one of the most beautiful hill destinations of south India. You are free to explore the surroundings before dinner. We stay overnight at a hotel.

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DAY 5: LOTS TO SEE

OOTY TO MYSORE (130 Kms – 3-4 hours)

Ooty is fondly known as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’ Because of the beautiful mountains and green valleys. Dotted with undulating hills, sparkling waterfalls, gurgling brooks and lush green tea gardens, this tranquil haven captures the hearts of every visitor. We take a sightseeing tour of Ooty Botanical Gardens with a variety of plants that include different types of roses, imported shrubs, rare flowering plants, eucalyptus trees, several old trees and even a fossilized tree trunk that is 20 million years old. Provided the day is clear, one can see as far as the plains of Coimbatore and the Mysore plateau. As we head to Mysore we pass through the forest areas of Bandipur & Mudumalai Sanctuaries.

Mysore, the capital city of the Wodeyars has always enchanted its admirers with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. Mysore traces its history back to the mythical past, when Goddess Chamundeshwari of Chamundi Hills killed the wicked buffalo-headed demon, Mahishasura. Mysore Dasara is the celebration of this victory of good over evil. We stay overnight at a hotel.

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DAY 6: COFFEE PLANTATION

MYSORE TO HASSAN (200 Kms – 3-5 hrs)

En-route to the picturesque hill station Chickmagaluru we visit the Jain pilgrimage site at Shravanabelagola, noted for its 17 meter high statue of Lord Gommateshwara, which is cut into the rock of Indragiri hill. Afterwards, we will continue our drive to Chickmagaluru and explore nature’s beauty and witness some of the breath-taking views available. Here we will be visiting the lush green coffee plantation hills along with two of the major tourist destinations – Hornadu and Baba Budangiri. We stay overnight at a hotel.

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DAY 7: LONGEST DAY

HASSAN TO HAMPI (330 Kms – 6-7 hours)

We have an early start as this is our biggest day in the saddle. We ride through the foot hills of the Western Ghat mountain range, and through the small villages on the route to Hampi. We will visit Chitradurga Fort which is a massive palace of stone, considered as a marvel of military architecture. We stay overnight at a hotel.

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DAY 8: TEMPLE OVERDOSE

HAMPI TO BADAMI (140 Kms – 3-4 hours)

We ride to Badami stopping at Aihole and Pattadakal on the way. Aihole is the cradle of stone temple architecture of the southern Dravidian School. The oldest temple, Lad Khan goes back to the 5th century A.D. and there are 70 temples in this group. The Ravana Phadi Temple is one of the most interesting with its beautiful carvings. After sightseeing, we continue to drive to Badami. We stay overnight at a hotel.

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DAY 9: GOING TO GOA

BADAMI TO GOA (250 Kms – 5-6 hours)

We head over the beautiful Western Ghats for Goa after breakfast. After we arrive, the day and evening is yours to do as you wish. We stay overnight at a hotel.

Goa, a state on India’s West coast, is a former Portuguese colony with a rich history. Spread over 3,700 square kilometres with a population of approximately 1.8 million, Goa is small by Indian standards. It has a unique mix of Indian and Portuguese cultures and architecture that attracts an estimated 2.5 million visitors each year (including about 400,000 foreign tourists).

Since the 1960s, Goa has been attracting a steady flow of visitors — first the hippies and returning expatriate Goans, then the charter tourists and pilgrims visiting Catholic and Hindu shrines. Goa is visibly different from the rest of India, owing to Portuguese rule which isolated it from the rest of India for 451 years. Goa is regarded as one of the most peaceful states in India.

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DAY 10: RIDER MANIA

FREE DAY AT RIDER MANIA

Free day to enjoy the days events at Rider Mania. The evening is yours to explore the surrounding areas on your own. We stay overnight at a hotel.

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DAY 11: RIDER MANIA DAY 2

FREE DAY AT RIDER MANIA

Free day to enjoy the days events at Rider Mania. The evening is yours to explore the surrounding areas on your own. We stay overnight at a hotel.

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DAY 12: HOMEWARD BOUND

FREE DAY AT RIDER MANIA

That’s it, you’ve explored the state of Kerala, partied in Goa and competed at Rider Mania. Hopefully, your life has been so enriched that you need a holiday to recover!
We’ll drop you at Goa International Airport for your flight home. We’re happy to arrange an extension of your adventure if you so wish. Maybe you’ll end up like the hippies and stay here forever 🙂

INSURANCE IN INDIA, NEPAL, BHUTAN, MONGOLIA, MYANMAR and SRI LANKA

In the countries we conduct adventures, commercial insurance on motor vehicles is either not available, or is of questionable value. They are generally worthless in the event one needs to make a claim. Accidents and damages occurring in these countries are usually settled on the spot and can take hours and even days.

Himalayan Heroes offers optional insurance that covers damage to the bike you are riding. The premium is US$200 paid before the tour starts. In the event you damage the motorcycle, the insurance will cap your damage bill at US$200.(A US$200 excess)

3 Scenarios

If, like most of our riders, you do not damage the motorcycle then the total cost to you is US$200.

If, like some of our riders, you put the bike down and damage mirrors, levers, foot pegs etc and the damage bill is say US$120 then you pay the $120. The cost to you is US$320 (US$200 + US$120)

If you have a big off and damage the tank, forks etc and the damage bill is say US$750 then you only pay the $200 excess. The cost to you is US$400 (US$200 premium + US$200 excess).

This insurance is optional so if you would like to carry the risk yourself, you are welcome to. At the completion of the tour, you will be presented with an itemised bill of the damage to the bike. Approximately 50% of our riders do not damage the bikes and of the 50% that do receive a damage bill, the majority of the bills are less than $300. Please send us an email if you’ve got any questions about this if you are thinking about any of our adventures.